2020 GMC Yukon

The 2020 Yukon can be bought in two main trims; the SLE and the SLT. The SLE starts at $50,600 and offers ample features. However, upscale features like leather upholstery along with heated front and second-row seats make the SLT trim more desirable.

Each trim can be configured with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, and the option to choose between a 5.3L V8 or a 6.2L high output V8 that puts out 420 horsepower.

Trims	SLE	SLT Standard Edition	SLT	Denali
MSRP (RWD)	$51,895	$56,095	$59,095	$68,995
MSRP (AWD)	$54,895	$59,095	$62,095	$71,995
Key Features	Cloth upholstery	Adds/Upgrades to SLE	Adds/Upgrades to SLT Standard Edition	Adds/Upgrades to SLT
	Front bench seats (optional bucket seats)		Leather upholstery
	8” infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto		Heated front and second-row seats
	4G LTE and WiFi system		Power folding second and third-row seats
	Three-zone climate control		Automatic emergency braking (optional)
	Automatic wipers		Rear seat entertainment system (optional)
	Bose audio system		Navigation (optional)
			Moonroof (optional)

Which trim do we recommend?

The SLT model seems to be the better choice here as it offers a host of upscale features, the highlight being leather upholstery over the SLE’s cloth. Going for the 6.2L optional V8 engine does not hurt either as it offers better torque delivery at lower RPMs, making the ride quality far superior to that of the standard engine.

For 2020, the Yukon can be configured with two engines, both being V8s can satisfy the needs of enthusiasts and heavy haulers alike. The standard engine produces over 350 horsepower coupled to a flawless six-speed automatic gearbox.

The power delivery from the standard 5.3L engine feels sluggish and delivers lack-luster acceleration at lower revs. The 6.2 L V8 is where things start to get interesting, it produces 420 horsepower along with 460 foot-pounds of torque, delivering power through a ten-speed automatic transmission. With the bigger Engine the Yukon feels like a completely different vehicle, the ride quality gets smoother and the sluggishness of the standard engine vanishes.

Models	GMC Yukon SLE/SLT	Chevrolet Tahoe LS/LT	Ford Expedition* XLT	Nissan Armada* SV	Toyota Sequoia SR5
MSRP	$51,895	$49,000	$52,130	$47,100	$49,905
Engine	5.3L V-8 Gas Engine	5.3L V-8 Gas Engine	3.5L EcoBoost V-6 Gas Engine	5.6L DOHC 32-valve V-8 Engine	5.7L V-8 Gas Engine
Drivetrain	RWD	RWD	RWD	RWD	RWD
Transmission	6-Speed Automatic	6-Speed Automatic	10-Speed Automatic	7-Speed Automatic	6-Speed Automatic
Power	355hp@5,600rpm	355hp@5,600rpm	375hp@5,000rpm	390hp@5,800rpm	381hp@5,600rpm
Torque	383lb-ft@4,100rpm	383lb-ft@4,100rpm	470lb-ft@3,500rpm	394lb-ft@4,000rpm	401lb-ft@3,600rpm

Compared to the rivals the Yukon sits at the bottom of the list, it offers the least power and torque as standard. The only time Yukon excels over the competitors is when it’s equipped with the bigger engine.

How fast is it?

6.5 seconds to reach 60 mph in an SUV as big as the Yukon is quite impressive and at par with the rivals. It lacks the initial punch while going hard on the gas but catches up as soon as the engine reaches its favored RPMs.

The acceleration may not be the first thing to look for in a full-size SUV. But considering the Yukon can be matched by its heavier rivals in 0-60 mph runs, and even lose in a quarter-mile speedrun, the 2020 Yukon starts to seem disappointing at best.

Models	GMC Yukon SLE/SLT	Chevrolet Tahoe LS/LT	Ford Expedition* XLT	Nissan Armada* SV	Toyota Sequoia SR5
0-60 MPH	6.5 sec	6.5 sec	6.5sec	6.5 sec	6.8 sec
Quarter Mile	16.7 sec	16.7 sec	15.1 sec	15 sec	15.3 sec
Top Speed	N/A	N/A	120 MPH	120 MPH	N/A
Engine	5.3L V-8 Gas Engine	5.3L V-8 Gas Engine	3.5L EcoBoost V-6 Gas Engine	5.6L DOHC 32-valve V-8 Engine	5.7L V-8 Gas Engine

Acceleration with the bigger 6.2L V8 is phenomenal. It takes around 5.5 seconds to hit 60 mph blowing the competitors into thin air. However, with the optional motor, the Yukon also gets pricier.

How do the brakes perform on GMC Yukon?

One thing that Yukon lags behind in is braking performance. One might expect Yukon to have the best braking performance, being the lightest SUV among the competition. But it has the worst braking performance in its class, the 2020 Yukon takes 137 ft. from 60 mph to 0 mph.

During hard braking, the response from the brake pedal is sluggish and poor. Choosing the optional automatic emergency braking may not be the worst idea if you are looking to settle for a GMC Yukon.

Model	GMC Yukon SLE/SLT	Chevrolet Tahoe LS/LT	Ford Expedition* XLT	Nissan Armada* SV	Toyota Sequoia SR5
Brake Rotors Front	15.6"	15.6"	13.5"	13.8"	13.9"
Brake Rotors Rear	10.88"	10.88"	13.2"	13.8"	13.6"
Curb Weight	5,466 lbs	5,466 lbs	5,801 lbs	5,576 lbs	5,730 lbs
60-0 MPH	137 ft	137 ft	121 ft	128 ft	130 ft

As compared to the rivals, the Ford Expedition takes the victory here even though it is the heaviest vehicle of the segment. Other SUVs from the likes of Toyota and Nissan are at par with Ford in terms of braking performance.

How is it with the ride and handling?

The massive size and body on frame construction affects Yukon’s handling and ride quality. Maneuvering a Yukon in urban areas or city traffic is quite a chore even for the best of drivers.

The Yukon rides smoothly most of the time, but to the larger wheels, the ride quality is affected. However, the optional of adaptive suspension improves the ride quality to a great extent. The overall ride quality is still impressive and comfortable, especially when considering that the Yukon is basically a pickup truck in a suit.

What about the towing capacity?

Thanks to the truck-based chassis and torquey V8 engine, the Yukon can impressively tow up to 8,500 pounds. With the exceptional capability of hauling heavy loads along with the upscale design, the Yukon not only provides luxury but practicality and utility as well.

For maximum towing capacity go for the configuration of 6.2L EcoTec3 V-8 with the Max Trailering Package to increase your towing capacity to 8,500 lbs.

Model	GMC Yukon SLE/SLT	Chevrolet Tahoe LS/LT	Ford Expedition* XLT	Nissan Armada* SV	Toyota Sequoia SR5
Towing Capacity	8500 lbs	8500 lbs	9300 lbs	8500 lbs	7400 lbs

The maximum trailering capacity is at par with all the competition except the Ford Expedition which is the best in class.

One of the reasons to buy a 2020 Yukon is the fuel economy, 16 MPG in the city and 23 MPG on the highway which surpasses most of the competition (if equipped with the 5.3L V-8 with 2WD). Thanks to the cylinder deactivation tech, half of the cylinders are deactivated at highway cruising speeds to save fuel and provide better efficiency.

However, once equipped with the bigger 6.2L V-8 engine, it loses some mileage and opting for 4WD also decreased efficiency by 1 mpg.

Model	GMC Yukon SLE/SLT	Chevrolet Tahoe LS/LT	Ford Expedition* XLT	Nissan Armada* SV	Toyota Sequoia SR5
MPG (City)	16	14	17	14	13
MPG (Highway)	23	23	24	19	17
MPG (Combined)	19	18	20	16	15
Fuel Capacity	26.0 gallons	26.0 gallons	23.3 gallons	26.0 gallons	26.4 gallons
Range (City/Hwy/Combined)	390/572/494 miles	390/572/468 miles	396/559/466 miles	364/494/416 miles	343/449/396 miles
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/yr)	9.2	9.2	8.8	11.0	11.7

The Ford provides best-in-class efficiency from its Ecoboost V6. While the Yukon’s 5.3L V-8 holds up quite well against other V8 equipped competitors in terms of efficiency.

From the commanding driving position to the excellent layout of the switchgear on the dash, it is hard to find any shortcomings when it comes to the interior of the 2019 GMC Yukon. The only quarrel with the Yukon that one can have is that the third row is not as spacious and comfortable for adults.

The Base SLE trim is the only trim that can be configured with the front-row bench seats above that every trim comes standard with front row bucket seats reducing the passenger capacity from nine to eight.

Models	GMC Yukon SLE/SLT	Chevrolet Tahoe LS/LT	Ford Expedition* XLT	Nissan Armada* SV	Toyota Sequoia SR5
Seating Capacity	9	9	8	8	8
First Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)	42.8/64.8/45.3	42.8/64.8/45.3	39.5/63.2/41.1	40.9/63.8/41.9	34.8/66.4/42.5
Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)	38.7/65.1/39.0	38.7/65.1/39.0	39.7/63.7/39.1	40.0/63.4/39.0	34.9/65.6/40.9
Third Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)	38.1/62.6/24.8	38.1/62.6/24.8	38.0/67.1/37.7	36.4/60.5/28.3	34.5/65.7/35.3

The third-row seats lacks the cushioning of the first and second-row seats and can only be configured as a bench seat. Although the third-row seats are good enough for kids it is better to just fold them for better cargo capacity

Creature Comfort Features

Interior Features include

• Cloth upholstery
• Heated and ventilated seat (Optional)
• Heated steering wheel (Optional)
• Power adjustable pedals (Optional)
• Leather upholstery (Optional)
• Power-adjustable front seats

What tech comes loaded with the GMC Yukon?

Yukon is loaded with features and even the base Yukon offers android auto and apple car play. The specs are the same in the Yukon XL as well. Both the vehicles have 8” touch displays with GMCs IntelliLink system. The screen is responsive enough and the features include:

• A nine-speaker audio system
• Five USB ports
• Bluetooth
• Satellite radio
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

How much cargo space is offered?

The Yukon does not disappoint in terms of cargo capacity, but the high tailgate might be an issue for some while loading and loading luggage or other cargo. Yukon offers 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space and folding down the third row increases the figure to 51.7 cubic feet. Folding the second row pushes the figure to 94.7 cubic feet which is almost as good as smaller cargo vans. However, the competition outperforms the Yukon in terms of overall cargo capacity inside the cabin.

Model	GMC Yukon SLE/SLT	Chevrolet Tahoe LS/LT	Ford Expedition* XLT	Nissan Armada* SV	Toyota Sequoia SR5C
Cargo Capacity (Behind Third Row)	15.3 cu.ft.	15.3 cu.ft.	20.9 cu.ft.	16.5 cu.ft.	18.9 cu.ft.
Cargo Capacity (Third Row Folded)	51.7 cu.ft.	51.7 cu.ft.	63.6 cu.ft.	49.9 cu.ft.	66.6 cu.ft.
Cargo Capacity) (Second & Third Row Folded)	94.7 cu.ft.	94.7 cu.ft.	104.6 cu.ft.	95.4 cu.ft.	120.1 cu.ft.

The 2020 Yukon is the perfect amalgamation of aggressive design and elegant looks, the boxy design separates it from the rivals and gives it old school charm.

GMC Yukon is the lightest among the competition at 5,466 lbs, the shortest wheelbase and the lowest ground clearance at just 8 inches but it makes the Yukon more stable and maneuverable than the rivals. However, the lower ground clearance means it is less capable off roads as compared to the other vehicles offering higher ground clearance.

Model	GMC Yukon SLE/SLT	Chevrolet Tahoe LS/LT	Ford Expedition* XLT	Nissan Armada* SV	Toyota Sequoia SR5
Curb Weight	5466 lbs	5466 lbs	5801 lbs	5576 lbs	5730 lbs
Length	203.9"	203.9"	206.5"	208.3"	205.1"
Width	80.5"	80.5"	78.8"	79.9"	79.9"
Height	74.4"	74.4"	77.2"	75.8"	77.0"
Ground Clearance	8.0"	8.0"	8.7"	9.1"	9.9"
Wheelbase	116.0"	116.0"	119.0"	121.1"	122"

Yukon is the widest and the lowest of the bunch which gives it a meaner look and better handling as compared to the rest of the bunch. The Armada is the biggest in terms of exterior dimensions whereas the Sequoia has the highest ground clearance which results in inferior maneuverability.

What are the highlights of the Yukon's design?

The SLE and SLT trims are almost identical from the outside. The Yukon Denali is the only one that gets unique exterior design treatment, the front grille is all chrome and looks fancier, it also features HID headlamps with LED daytime running lights. There are 12 different designs of wheels and the sizes vary between 18 to 22 inches.

The 2020 Yukon is jam-packed with safety features and the innovative design for the placement of airbags is such that the driver and passengers do not collide with each other during a crash. The NHTSA has given the 2020 Yukon a full four stars in its crash tests, which makes sense considering its list of safety features that include:

Safety Features:

• Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front airbags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors
• Driver and front passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental airbags
• Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental airbags with rollover sensor help provide head protection for outboard occupants for all three rows
• 3-point ALR/ELR passenger seat belt system (ELR for the driver)
• Front seat belts with pre-tensioners and load limiters
• LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children)
• Child-safety rear door locks
• Adjustable Pedals
• Traction Control
• High-strength side-door guard beams
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System

Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, front and rear parking sensors along with the impressive low-speed automatic emergency braking which is standard except the SLE trim in which it is optional.

2020 GMC Yukon vs. 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe

Whether you prefer to go with GMC or Chevy, you get identical performance and identical engine configurations. The Yukon however, is more upscale and has a luxurious interior as compared to the Tahoe. 

The Tahoe appears to be modern from the outside as compared to Yukon’s boxier design. Another major difference is that the Yukon offers more features in the base SLE trim as compared to the Tahoe’s XLT trim.

2020 GMC Yukon vs. 2019 Ford Expedition

Comparing these two, the Expedition outperforms the Yukon in almost every category, whether it’s efficiency, comfort, performance. The Expedition is truly an exceptional vehicle that offers impeccable practicality and ensures maximum comfort during long rides.

The Expedition also seems to be a better choice for larger families as it offers the best cargo space behind the third-row seats.

2020 GMC Yukon vs. 2019 Nissan Armada

While comparing the two the results are clear, the Yukon is the clear winner, it offers better interior and infotainment system than the outdated Armada along with higher efficiency. 

The Armada offers lack-luster performance, combine that with outdated tech and features the SUV has, the Yukon outpaces it in every category.

2020 GMC Yukon vs. 2020 Toyota Sequoia

Toyota Sequoia has inferior ride quality and handling as compared to the GMC on the tarmac, but off-road the higher ground clearance helps the Sequoia to outshine the competition. The Yukon has better interior features whereas Sequoia has better interior space and cargo capacity.

 

The 2020 GMC Yukon offers sufficient features even at the base trim which none of the competition does. The interior is plush and luxurious, the exterior is clean and traditional in terms of looks. 

The option to upgrade the engine to a bigger V-8 turns the Yukon into a whole different animal. The Yukon might not be the best when compared to the competition in terms of utility and fuel economy but the Yukon is loaded with features, and with the addition of the bigger 6.2L V-8 also becomes more fun as well.